Deep Cleanings

When Do You Need Deep Cleanings?

Deep cleanings are performed and recommended to patients suffering from chronic gum disease. However, some dentists do recommend this costly procedure, even if it is not necessary. This type of treatment is also known in dentistry as scaling and root planning. Root planing aims to remove plaque buildup and bacteria from your teeth and below your gums. This is to prevent bone loss, which may lead to losing your teeth. Bone loss may also complicate medical conditions that you may have, like cardiovascular condition and diabetes.

When Do You Need This Type of Dental Procedure?

You do not need deep cleanings if your x-rays showed no bone loss. And if your full-mouth examination does not reveal any signs of gum pockets that have depths of 4 to 5mm. If deep cleanings are done, they must only be done to the affected teeth. That is, your dentist will only treat areas that are damaged.

Unfortunately, some consulting firms recommend dentists to offer this procedure to improve their income. Hygienists may perform deep cleanings but clinics that have this practice are only encouraging unnecessary treatments. As mentioned earlier, deep cleanings must only be performed when there is a need to do so after a careful examination is conducted by your dentist.

A Second Opinion May Be Necessary

If your dentist recommends deep cleanings without first performing a thorough examination of your mouth, you should consider a second opinion. Your dentist may just be using you to gain profit. And if he/she recommends it, ask him/her why you need. If you have undergone a routine examination and you did not feel pain and discomfort, urgent deep cleanings might not be really necessary.

Deep cleanings are only performed when necessary after your mouth has been thoroughly evaluated. That is a full-mouth x-ray and 3D image. This type of dental treatment is necessary to mitigate gum disease. It is performed to proactively treat periodontal disease. After the procedure, your oral health will be re-evaluated. Sometimes, patients undergo periodontal cleanings for a few times to prevent relapse.

If you are not happy with your dentist’s evaluation, consult other dentists and ask for a second opinion as to whether or not you need deep cleanings.

What are They Really?

Deep cleanings are usually performed per quadrant of the mouth at a time. Depending on your dentist’s recommendation, the procedure can be done in one visit. During the procedure, your dentist will apply a local anesthesia to numb the area. Then, your dentist will start working under your gum line and remove the calculus and debris.

After that, the root of your tooth is shaped or planned to remove those areas where bacteria can accumulate. After scaling and root planning, your dentist may recommend an antibiotic that you must take for seven days. A pain reliever may also be prescribed. That is if you are experiencing discomfort after the procedure.

After-care instructions are given after the deep cleaning procedure. You may not be able to resume your oral hygiene routine immediately. Your dentist will tell you when you can start following your oral hygiene routine again. To make sure that your mouth is healing well, you need to visit your dentist’s clinic for a checkup.

How Much Does It Cost?

A regular dental cleaning can cost less than $100. Some insurers do pay for this type of treatment as part of the preventive procedure.

Unfortunately, deep cleanings can cost more and the fee is per quadrant. Even though many adults are suffering from gum disease, deep cleanings are not always the first solution. A mild inflammation, for instance, resolves itself within a few weeks without having to go to your dentist.

Since periodontal disease takes time to develop, it is necessary that you visit your dentist on a regular basis to undergo regular professional cleanings. In this way, gum disease can be prevented and you can avoid undergoing deep cleanings in the future.

Some dentists, however, only think about profit. So, they recommend this procedure even if it is not necessary. They tell their patients that it will not harm their health. In fact, it can help them achieve perfect oral health. However, unnecessary deep cleanings may cause more harm than good. For some situations, they can break the attachment of gums to the tooth causing more damage to your condition.